Sorry that my first post was empty. I think that the browser I was using did not like the forum software and the display was pretty screwed up. My first comment just evaporated. I'll write again a bit later with an explanation of my question.
OK. I am planning a project for this spring. I don't really have space for a regular rock garden here, but there is some room on our sunny patio where I would like to set up a container rock garden. I have looked around a little bit, but haven't found many examples of this kind of thing.
I intend to use a pretty good-sized trough planter. I like this one built with steel panels...
I am in Zone 5 and we (still) have cold winters here. I know that hardiness for plants growing in containers is often less than for gardens in the ground, but I hope that I can get good results with the right plant selection and a pretty big planter.
I wonder about a planting medium(?). Container gardens are often filled with pro mix and planted for just a single season, but I want this thing to be semi-permanent and last for at least several years. Most of the plants I have in mind are from sandy soils. I think that for some water retention and good drainage I should make a blend with sand and a few other components, rather than pure sand. That trough is 16" tall. Here are some of the materials that I have in mind.
pool filter sand
Soil Mender expanded shale
Red Flint gravel
sphagnum peat
I'll be interested to hear any thoughts on this idea. If anybody might have pictures to share I would also like to see successful rock gardens in containers. Thanks for considering this.
Oh yes of course I am familiar with hypertufa troughs. The ones that I have seen have all been set into the ground. I suppose my question is more specifically about a taller raised trough and especially the best kinds of soil mix to use.
They are not all hypertufa and many of them are not set in the ground! I use an old kitchen sink myself stood on a couple of bricks. Soil depends of course on what you want to grow but you can't go wrong with a gritty/ sandy mix with or without Lime depending on what you want to grow. They look better if you build up the trough with rock-again there are many pictures.
Comments
deesen (not verified)
Are you keeping this a secret
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 3:16amAre you keeping this a secret?
Lori S. (not verified)
Apparently the original
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 9:05amApparently the original poster had second thoughts. Unfortunately, it's not possible on this site to completely delete a comment.
I do hope you'll come back, hydrophyte, and repost your question or whatever it was.
hydrophyte (not verified)
Sorry that my first post was
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 9:15amSorry that my first post was empty. I think that the browser I was using did not like the forum software and the display was pretty screwed up. My first comment just evaporated. I'll write again a bit later with an explanation of my question.
hydrophyte (not verified)
OK. I am planning a project
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 11:54amOK. I am planning a project for this spring. I don't really have space for a regular rock garden here, but there is some room on our sunny patio where I would like to set up a container rock garden. I have looked around a little bit, but haven't found many examples of this kind of thing.
I intend to use a pretty good-sized trough planter. I like this one built with steel panels...
http://www.houzz.com/photos/35228568/Nice-Corten-Steel-Trough-Corten-16x46-modern-outdoor-pots-and-planters
A cedar box is another possibility.
I am in Zone 5 and we (still) have cold winters here. I know that hardiness for plants growing in containers is often less than for gardens in the ground, but I hope that I can get good results with the right plant selection and a pretty big planter.
I wonder about a planting medium(?). Container gardens are often filled with pro mix and planted for just a single season, but I want this thing to be semi-permanent and last for at least several years. Most of the plants I have in mind are from sandy soils. I think that for some water retention and good drainage I should make a blend with sand and a few other components, rather than pure sand. That trough is 16" tall. Here are some of the materials that I have in mind.
I'll be interested to hear any thoughts on this idea. If anybody might have pictures to share I would also like to see successful rock gardens in containers. Thanks for considering this.
deesen (not verified)
Loads of information and
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 12:38pmLoads of information and pictures in the SRGC Forum here:- http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=3537.0
hydrophyte (not verified)
Oh yes of course I am
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 12:56pmOh yes of course I am familiar with hypertufa troughs. The ones that I have seen have all been set into the ground. I suppose my question is more specifically about a taller raised trough and especially the best kinds of soil mix to use.
deesen (not verified)
They are not all hypertufa
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 1:07pmThey are not all hypertufa and many of them are not set in the ground! I use an old kitchen sink myself stood on a couple of bricks. Soil depends of course on what you want to grow but you can't go wrong with a gritty/ sandy mix with or without Lime depending on what you want to grow. They look better if you build up the trough with rock-again there are many pictures.